US technology giant Apple has seen quarterly results beat forecasts, thanks to strong iPhone sales.
Net profits hit $1.23bn (£953m), or $1.35 a share, in the fiscal third quarter to 27 June, from $1.07bn, or $1.19 a share, a year earlier.
Apple sold more than 5.2 million iPhones in the quarter, seven times greater than the same period a year, before, boosted by a new iPhone model.
Analyst reacted positively to the news and shares rose in after-hours trade.
Shares of Apple ended at $151.60 before rising to $157.02 after the results.
'Advantages'
Andy Hargreaves, an analyst at Pacific Crest Securities described the the numbers as "great".
"Their gross profits continue to surprise people and there is a return to product momentum...a return to growth in the Mac business, and then the iPhone is doing tremendously well and that is a potent combination."
He added that forecast for the fourth quarter were strong relative to what he had expected.
Revenue for the period climbed 12% to $8.3bn, ahead of expectations of $8.2bn. Every region in the world saw revenue increase.
The number of Macs sold by Apple grew 4% year-on-year.
Shaw Wu, an analyst at Kaufman Bross said: "We think they are very uniquely positioned with their competitive advantages."
The one area to see a contraction was its iPod, where sales were 7% weaker year-on year.
The firm posted a conservative outlook for the current quarter, predicting earnings of $1.18 to $1.23 a share with revenue between $8.7bn to $8.9bn, but analysts highlighted that Apple is consistently conservative in its predictions.
Apple chief financial officer Peter Oppenheimer said: "We are very proud of this result, particularly given the economic climate around us."
